NAZARETH
1980
CBS/Delta disagreement causes Billy to be dropped but Delta's Colin Robertson agreed to keep him on retainer of £60 per week if he returned to Scotland. In November, Eddie asked him to call Pete Agnew (Zal had quit) who asked what type of guitar he played. "Gibson 335?", "You're in son" was the extent of his Nazareth audition. In December the STV In Concert at The Gateway in Edinburgh and a solo Buddy Holly tribute on the Hear Hear show meant 2 TV appearances on consecutive nights.
1981
US tours from January to May promoting The Fool Circle LP. Gigs were recorded with The Record Plant mobile resulting in the S'Naz album. Billy's first Naz studio recordings, Crazy for the Heavy Metal Soundtrack then Morning Dew/Morgentau/Juicy Lucy for the S'Naz bonus single. S'Naz mixed at The Manor and live video mixed at Air London with John Punter. Began writing (with Darrell) for next album in December.
1982
Recorded 2XS in Monserrat then toured S'Naz album in Europe. A & M records financed solo demos at Ca-Va in Glasgow having been impressed by Billy's writing contributions to 2XS. Four tracks were delivered and a solo deal was offered. John Locke left the band prior to Euro dates with Rush. Writing for solo and band albums (again with Darrell).
AIR STUDIOS, MONSERRAT
Tropical island location for Fool Circle & 2XS owned by George Martin. 2XS began on departure of Sheena Easton and band prompting one member of staff to declare, "You guys spilled more drink than Sheena's entire entourage drank during their stay." The bill for liquor was 'queried' by their manager and George Martin wrote to each member personally asking, "Own up (band member's name), you KNOW you drank it!"
1983
January saw Nazareth recording demos in Pencaitland. February & March brought recording of the Sound Elixir album at Little Mountain in Vancouver where Billy became pals with Bryan Adams who had also signed a solo deal with A&M.
SOUND ELIXIR
Recorded at Little Mountain studios in Vancouver. It's not regarded as one of the best Naz albums but, nevertheless, an eventful time was had by all. Friendship struck with Bryan Adams who was getting Billy shit-faced as his daughter, Anna, was being born back in Scotland. Darrell broke the news to him next morning by replacing the milk with Scotch in the cornflakes at breakfast. Neither of them made it to the studio 'til late evening when a crate of Champagne arrived (from A & M). Billy also became friends with Brian (too loud) McCloud from Headpins who unwittingly gave Billy's second solo album its title. After a jam on stage, Brian said he'd finally met his match in the 'volume stakes' and said to the deafened crowd "Too loud McCloud?, this is Crankin' Rankin!" All Nite Radio's intro is actually the pinball machine at the studio which Billy and Pete recorded and then went back to the rented condo and wrote a song around it. Guitar Tech, Davie Horner, and Billy had to flee a downtown bar after buying onyx totem poles from an Eskimo who proceeded to fondle Billy's leg under the table. The following week the local paper listed the bar as Vancouver's No. 1 gay venue. (Suddenly it all made sense). This, however, is topped by the Vancouver Police Pipe Band who arrived next door to record their new album. Armed only with 4 crates of Johnny Walker Red Label, they took Naz to their 'club' and, for once, trounce the Nazareth entourage in drinking prowess. Billy & Pete got so wasted they left and attempted the short walk home. Suddenly, sirens surrounded them and the officer, using a megaphone, said, "Nice try boys but we're takin' you in, we ain't done with you yet!" They were taken back to the party and placed under arrest until more drinking had taken place. All of the above goes some way towards explaining the patchiness of the album.
